About University For Kids · Washington
University For Kids (formerly Kiddie University) is a multi-campus chain of licensed early childhood development centers serving Washington, DC. The H Street Campus at 806 H St NE provides full-time daycare, infant care, preschool, pre-K, before- and after-school care, summer camp, Spanish and Mandarin language immersion, STEM, robotics, aeronautics, and chess enrichment for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years. The company describes itself as 'the leading chain of childcare facilities in Washington DC' and operates four locations (H Street, Capitol Hill, Capitol Riverfront/Navy Yard, and KU Kids Deanwood) under the umbrella of Kiddie University Child Care Developers Management and Consulting Service.
University For Kids grew out of Kiddie University Child Care Developers Management and Consulting Service, a family-managed childcare organization that traces its roots to 1991 in Prince George's County, Maryland. According to the company's own history, the first center was transformed from a struggling, under-enrolled facility into a thriving program, growing from 70 children at one location to more than 500 across four sites in roughly three years. The management team reports over 50 years of combined experience and says it has achieved national accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), written and received numerous grants, and collaborated with public and private partners to serve children and families. The organization has been recognized twice by Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser as the District's model for high-quality, affordable early childhood education. The H Street Campus specifically serves the H Street NE corridor near the Capitol and offers the full UFK curriculum to a diverse set of Washington DC families, with research-based activities in seven learning domains (Personal and Social Development, Scientific Thinking, Mathematical Thinking, Language and Literacy, Social Studies, The Arts, and Physical Development and Health), language immersion in Spanish and Mandarin, STEM/Robotics/Aeronautics/Chess enrichment for school-age children, drop-in care, and a structured summer camp. Tuition at the H Street campus is $595/week for ages 6 weeks through 4 years, with a one-time non-refundable $500 enrollment fee and a 10% sibling discount. Hours are Monday–Friday roughly 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- In business
- Parent organization (Kiddie University CDC) founded 1991; UFK H Street campus operates as part of the chain that has expanded across Washington DC over roughly three decades.
- Owner
- Family-led management team originating from Kiddie University Child Care Developers Management and Consulting Service (co-founded by Mr. and Mrs. Nelson). Leadership at University For Kids includes Managing Director April Nelson, Managing Director Kristyl Vickers, and Regional Director April Nelson; Cassandra Nelson has served as CEO of the Capitol Hill location. Mr. Nelson is identified as the founder of the Kiddie University concept.
- Serves
- Washington, DC — primarily the H Street NE corridor, Capitol Hill, Capitol Riverfront / Navy Yard, and Deanwood neighborhoods, with families drawn from across the District.
- Rating
- Approximately 4.5/5 across aggregated reviews (e.g., 5/5 with 4 verified reviews on Daycares.co for the Capitol Hill location; 4.5/5 with 8 reviews on LocalGuideWorld for KU Kids Deanwood). Individual Google/Yelp ratings vary by campus.
Overview & History
University For Kids is the current brand name for a chain of child development centers originally launched as Kiddie University. According to the company's own history page, the parent organization began in 1991 when a family management team took over an underperforming child care center in Prince George's County, Maryland, and grew it from 70 children at one location to more than 500 children across four sites in just over three years. The management team — now operating as Kiddie University Child Care Developers Management and Consulting Service — has more than 50 years of combined experience and has achieved national accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), written and received multiple grants, and partnered with public and private organizations to expand services. University For Kids has been recognized twice by Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser as the District's model for high-quality, affordable early childhood education.
- Founded 1991 in Prince George's County, Maryland
- Family-managed team with 50+ years of combined experience
- Achieved NAEYC national accreditation
- Recognized twice by Mayor Muriel Bowser as DC's model for affordable early childhood education
Campuses & Locations
University For Kids operates four campuses across Washington, DC, allowing families to find a location convenient to their neighborhood. The H Street Campus is at 806 H St NE 20002; the Capitol Hill Campus is at 728 F St NE 20002; the Capitol Riverfront / Navy Yard Campus is at 1550 First St SW 20024; and KU Kids Deanwood is at 1350 49th St NE 20019. The DC My Child Care registry lists the H Street campus as 'Kiddie University H Street D/B/A University For Kids' at 806 H ST NE 20002.
- H Street Campus — 806 H St NE 20002 — (202) 853-9144
- Capitol Hill Campus — 728 F St NE 20002 — (202) 544-4544
- Capitol Riverfront / Navy Yard Campus — 1550 First St SW 20024 — (202) 681-4249 / (202) 823-2379
- KU Kids Deanwood — 1350 49th St NE 20019 — (202) 975-1061
- Enrollment line: (202) 681-4249
Curriculum & Approach
University For Kids describes its educational philosophy with the phrase 'We Grow People' and uses the Creative Curriculum, a play-based, research-driven early childhood framework. Classrooms are intentionally set up so children can explore, question, and work independently, in small groups, or with a teacher. Activities are child-directed and teacher-assisted. The program organizes learning around seven research-based domains: Personal and Social Development, Scientific Thinking, Mathematical Thinking, Language and Literacy, Social Studies, The Arts, and Physical Development and Health. The company also emphasizes gross- and fine-motor development, cognitive development, social development, mathematical skills, critical thinking, emotional growth, family involvement, and community development.
- Creative Curriculum-based, play-driven learning
- Seven domains of learning framework
- Whole-child focus (cognitive, social, emotional, physical, language)
- Child-directed, teacher-assisted activities
- Strong parent involvement partnerships
Programs by Age
Programs are tailored to developmental stages from infancy through age 12. Infants begin at 6 weeks of age; toddler and preschool classrooms serve children up to 4 years old; an enrichment program serves school-age children ages 6–12. The summer camp is open to children ages 2–12 and follows a published daily schedule that includes circle time, math/science group time, language and literacy, outdoor play, music and movement, art, meals, nap, and afternoon free play.
- Infants (6 weeks and up)
- Toddlers
- Preschool
- Pre-K
- Before- and after-school care
- Summer Camp (ages 2–12) with full daily schedule
- Enrichment program (ages 6–12)
Language Immersion (Spanish & Mandarin)
University For Kids offers a full language immersion program for children ages 6 weeks through 4 years. Language lessons are taught weekly by native Spanish and Mandarin speaking teachers, using high-energy activities, music, storybooks, images, flashcards, mystery treasure boxes, lesson-themed toys and props, and crafts. The center cites research showing that full immersion strengthens both foreign-language and native-language understanding, and that younger learners can develop authentic accents more easily.
- Spanish immersion
- Mandarin immersion
- Native-speaker teachers
- Music, storybook, and play-based instruction
- Ages 6 weeks – 4 years
STEM, Robotics, Aeronautics & Chess
The UFK Enrichment Program for ages 6–12 is described as 'a gateway to a world of exciting opportunities, including Aeronautics, Robotics, and Chess.' The program combines expert guidance, state-of-the-art technology, and a passion for learning to 'inspire the next generation of pioneers,' with stated goals of fostering a future where careers in science and robotics are accessible regardless of gender, race, or economic circumstances.
- Aeronautics
- Robotics
- Chess
- Hands-on, project-based learning
- Ages 6–12
Drop-In & Flexible Care
Drop-in care is available from 9 AM to 3 PM on selected days for parents who need occasional, flexible child care. There are two pricing options: $150/day with lunch or $110/day without lunch. Bookings must be made by Thursday of the week prior to service, and a minimum of 10 bookings per date is required for the program to run. Cancellations are not allowed, but if a booked day cannot be used, a credit is offered for a future date.
- Drop-in hours: 9 AM – 3 PM on selected days
- $150/day with lunch / $110/day without lunch
- Advance booking required (by Thursday of the prior week)
- Minimum 10 bookings per date required
- Credit offered if booked day cannot be used
Tuition, Enrollment & Policies
Enrollment requires a non-refundable $500 fee paid upon registration, after which the child's spot is guaranteed. Weekly tuition for infants 6 weeks through 4 years old is $595, billed weekly and due every Monday. Tuition is due in full to keep the child's spot secure; discounts or prorated tuition are not offered for vacations or illness. A 10% sibling discount is applied off the oldest sibling's tuition. Late pick-up fees are $15 up to 6:05 PM and $1 per minute after 6:05 PM. Enrollment forms are fillable PDFs that can be emailed to [email protected] or dropped off in person.
- $500 non-refundable enrollment fee
- $595/week for ages 6 weeks – 4 years
- 10% sibling discount (off oldest sibling)
- Late pick-up: $15 up to 6:05 PM; $1/min after
- Tuition billed weekly, due Mondays
- Scholarships not currently offered
Facilities, Safety & Environment
UFK states its facilities have been 'thoughtfully constructed' with environmentally friendly furniture and materials sourced from companies prioritizing ecologically responsible production, using non-toxic and pesticide-free products to create a safe and nurturing environment. The KU Kids Deanwood campus is co-located with the Deanwood Community Center and adjacent to Ron Brown High School, giving children access to a football field for daily outdoor time and a gymnasium on rainy days, as well as a fenced outdoor playground. Daily progress updates with photos and videos are sent to parents in real time via an app.
- Non-toxic, pesticide-free materials
- Real-time digital parent updates (photos, video, notes)
- Fenced outdoor playground
- Catered meals
- Co-located community/recreation facilities at Deanwood campus
Leadership & Staff
The 'Meet Our Team' page lists Ann Marie Robinson as Program Coordinator, Admissions, along with April Nelson as Regional Director and Kristyl Vickers as Managing Director. Cassandra Nelson has served as CEO of the Capitol Hill location. Teachers at UFK are described as 'dedicated individuals who make a habit of going above and beyond the call of duty.' New full-time staff attend a five-day orientation covering mission, vision, values, culture, developmental milestones, and position competencies, and continuing education units are offered through a partnership with Smart Horizons to maintain Lead Teacher qualifications. An Annual Teachers Conference is held every Columbus Day.
- April Nelson — Regional Director
- Kristyl Vickers — Managing Director
- Ann Marie Robinson — Program Coordinator, Admissions
- Cassandra Nelson — former CEO (Capitol Hill)
- Five-day new-hire orientation
- Continuing Education Units via Smart Horizons
- Annual Teachers Conference on Columbus Day
Careers & Values
UFK frames itself as 'a place where we grow people big and small because we all learn from each other, every day.' Core values highlighted on the careers page include friendship, sharing, safety, cleanliness, creativity, and responsibility. The organization looks for educators who are Educated, Engaging, Experienced, Career-Oriented, Responsible, Creative, and Friendly. The Employee Investment Cycle includes Individual Growth Plans every six months, classroom observations completed quarterly, and annual performance reviews tied to merit increases.
- Mission: 'We Grow People'
- Core values: friendship, sharing, safety, cleanliness, creativity, responsibility
- Five-day orientation for new full-time staff
- Quarterly classroom observations
- Bi-annual Individual Growth Plans
- Annual performance reviews
- Continuing Education Units via Smart Horizons
Reviews & Reputation
Aggregate review data for the UFK/Kiddie University campuses is positive overall. The Capitol Hill campus is rated 5/5 with 4 verified reviews on Daycares.co; the KU Kids Deanwood campus averages 4.5/5 across 8 reviews on LocalGuideWorld. Common themes in parent testimonials include caring teachers who treat children like their own, real-time photo and video updates via an app, clean and welcoming facilities, catered meals, bilingual teachers, a strong curriculum that teaches colors, letters, and numbers, and supportive transitions for infants. Negative reviews tend to focus on occasional communication lapses and inconsistent staff engagement at specific campuses.
- Capitol Hill campus: 5/5 (4 verified reviews, Daycares.co)
- KU Kids Deanwood: ~4.5/5 (8 reviews, LocalGuideWorld)
- Common praise: caring teachers, clean facilities, real-time updates, bilingual staff
- Common complaints: occasional communication issues, staff engagement variance